Air pressure problem disrupts 14 attractions at Magic Kingdom

Fourteen attractions at the Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom were temporarily
shut down last Wednesday, on April 20, due to technical difficulties.

An air pressure system used to handle everything from lifting Dumbo ride
vehicles to operating block zone gates on Splash Mountain experienced
problems when a water pipe associated with the system began leaking. The
rides involved went through a normal safe shutdown sequence and were evacuated
while the problem was resolved and the ride systems reset.

The attractions were down from 25 minutes to an hour, based on conflicting
reports, and those waiting in line were given return passes.

This type of widespread problem is unusual, but neither a major safety
problem nor one requiring lengthy repairs.

The Land is now open

The Land pavilion at Epcot has now reopened to the general public, with
all three major attractions running. Soarin' and Living with the Land
both feature Fastpass, while the Circle of Life film continues without.
The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses resumes running every
45 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. beginning on Friday, April 29.

The Sunshine Seasons food court also reopens on Friday, April 29, but
The Garden Grill Restaurant is not expected to return until at least July
7.

The pavilion also has a new Kidcot Fun Stop, which joins Test Track and
the Living Seas pavilions in Future World.

Complete Star Wars Weekends celebrity guest list announced

The list of attendees at this year's Star Wars Weekends has finally
been announced. Each weekend sees one character actor and one technical
specialist in attendance.

Party news

Dates for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry
Christmas Party have now been officially set. See below (link)
for dates. Tickets should be going on sale within the next week or so.
Usually, Halloween night and Friday nights are the first to sell out,
but you should have a few weeks from the day that they go on sale before
that happens. For tickets, phone 407WDISNEY (4079347639)
or by visiting the Walt Disney World web site (link).

Simply Segway Experience debuts May 1st

A new opportunity to those cool twowheeled vehicles, the Simply
Segway Experience at Epcot is offering a onehour indoor Segway
handling class for beginners everydayat 12:30 p.m. except Tuesdays and
Thursdays. Like its lengthier cousin, the twohour Around the
World at Epcot tour, riders need to be 16 years of age and weigh
less than 250 pounds.

Due to the instructional nature of this experience, more advanced riders
are probably better off taking the longer tour.

The new experience costs $45 per person, while the longer ride $80 per
person. Discounts of 15 percent are available on both tours for AAA members,
Disney Visa Cardholders, Disney Vacation Club members, and Annual Passholders.

You can book both tours by calling 407WDWTOUR (4079398687).

Disney's Magical Express bus routes revealed

When Disney's Magical Express begins on May 5, it will operate on a zone
basis, with resorts grouped into four zones. Buses will be dispatched
on an asneeded basis based on resorts and flight times, with a maximum
of four stops per bus. Additional buses will be dispatched if five resorts
in one zone have guests needing to be picked up for similar flight times,
or if more guests need to be picked up than can be accommodated on a single
bus.

Disney joins convention marketing consortium

Walt Disney World has signed on as a Gold Key Member of the
Orange County Convention Center, promising cash and other contributions
totalling $125,000 per year in exchange for access to those planning events
at the center. This also allows Disney to open a sales office inside the
convention center for better access to individual eventgoers.

It is unknown how much will be paid in cash, as opposed to food, drinks,
park tickets and merchandise, which will be used to entertain tradeshow,
convention and other planners who might be considering the Orlando area
as an event site.

Planners will be offered the opportunity to schedule events at the parks
as part of their event at the Convention Center, from private parties
at Downtown Disney or afterhours at one of the theme parks, to special
grouprate tickets and transportation to the parks.

Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando have also signed similar agreements.

Correction on onenight Night of Joy tickets

We previously misreported the advancepurchase price of a onenight
ticket for the Night of Joy event. Onenight tickets cost $36.95 plus
tax in advance, as opposed to the $37.95 we previously reported. The price
to purchase a onenight ticket at the gate (if available) is correct at
$42.95 plus tax, and twonight tickets were correctly reported at $61.95
plus tax. Advance tickets are available by calling 407WDISNEY (4079347639)
or by visiting the Night of Joy web site (link).

Ears to the ground

The sixCD musical history of Disneyland Park we listed last
week is reported to be going on sale at Disney Direct today. It will be
interesting to see how long those 5,000 limited edition copies remain
available. Updated 1 p.m. 4/25/05: We now have word
that this set will become available via Disney Direct on May 2 at midnight
EDT, which equates to May 1 at 9:00 PDT. Good luck with those dialing
fingers or mouse clicks! Updated 12:50 a.m. EDT,
4/26/05: It now appears that the sets are available for pre-order from
Disney Direct via phone, item number is 61499. Get 'em while they're hot!
Updated 6:30 p.m. EDT, 4/26/05: Despite earlier showing the item sold
out online, Disney Direct has now sold approximately half of their 1,000-set
allotment. The sets can be ordered by phone (407-237-5751) or via Disney
Direct online (link).
Updated 9:00 p.m. EDT, 4/27/05: Disney Direct phone agents have confirmed
that the item is now sold out. The last of the 1,000 copies were reportedly
sold late last night. If you didn't get one and you're looking to find
the limited edition, you can try Walt Disney World Mail Order (407-363-6200,
1,000 sets) or Disneyland DelivEARS (800-760-3566, 3,000 sets) starting
on May 3.

The jet skis for the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
at the DisneyMGM Studios are now in active rehearsal in preparation
for the show's official debut at a May 4 press event.

The San Francisco Street facade in front of the old Hunchback theater
at the DisneyMGM Studios has been replaced by a more realisticlooking
San Francisco backdrop.

It appears that Andy Mation (the balloon artist at the DisneyMGM
Studios) and Imaginum (the living statues at Epcot) have joined
the ranks of inpark entertainers whose contracts were not renewed.

Epcot's Kidcot Funstops are now starting to get more permanent
installations, as opposed to the temporary tables that they have been
using since the beginning of the program.

Goofy's Candy Company at Downtown Disney Marketplace officially
opens on May 2.

Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips,
rumors, and comments. Email us here.

Magic Kingdom

Peter Pan's Flight  closed for refurbishment from May
2226.

20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon  most of the area
has reopened, featuring corraltype planters and more walkway space.
The remainder is transforming into a Hundred Acre Woodthemed children's
play area featuring slides, climbing structures, and interactive popjet
fountains. The area, to be called Pooh's Playful Spot, is
expected to open around September.

Cinderellabration  preview performances are underway.
Official opening is May 5. Expected to run until the end of the 18month
Happiest Celebration on Earth festivities.

Epcot closes at 3 p.m. on May 5 for the
Happiest Celebration on Earth media and VIP event.

Soarin'  officially scheduled to open on May 5, but soft
openings are already underway.

The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses at The
Land  resumes on Friday, April 29, every 45 minutes from 9:30
a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The Land pavilion  has reopened. All three attractions
are now open, as well as the new Kidcot Fun Stop in the pavilion. The
Sunshine Seasons food court will reopen on Friday, April 29. The Garden
Grill Restaurant is not expected to return until at least July 7.

The Wonders of Life pavilion  open seasonally. The Pure
and Simple eatery and the Well and Goods Limited shop have
been removed, while the Body Wars, Cranium Command, and
The Making of Me attractions now open when the pavilion is open.
The pavilion is currently closed.

DisneyMGM Studios closes at 4 p.m. on May 4 for the
Happiest Celebration on Earth media and VIP event.

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, an American
version of the popular Moteurs Action! stunt show
from the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris, is officially scheduled
to debut on May 4. Preview performances for the public for testandadjust
purposes have been returned to limited runs once or twice a week. Show
times are subject to change, and there is no guarantee that the show
will run on a given day. Fastpass tickets are available beginning at
9 a.m. each day that the show will run.

Animal Kingdom

Lucky the Dinosaur  is scheduled to appear in May 
July,2005. Official debut is May 6. There are reports that he is already
making unannounced visits in the park in the Chester & Hester's
DinoRama area.

Expedition Everest  is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.
The likely official opening date is April 22, which is both Earth Day
and the park's birthday, but previews may start as early as February
2006.

Resorts

Polynesian Resort  nearing completion of the refurbishment
of longhouses: suites in Tonga through May 12; Tahiti April 24 
August 17; Tokelau May  September. Work on the Great Ceremonial
House also appears to be underway: stores moving to the main lobby area;
Captain Cook's Snack Company expanding to fill the rest of the rear
of the building.

Contemporary Resort  The South Garden wing will be closed
for refurbishment from May 30  October 31. Rumors indicate that
the buildings may be completely gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation
Club villas. No confirmation of the conversion yet.

BoardWalk Resort  Conversion of the previous
Disney Vacation Club sales center into 19 additional villastyle accommodations
through June, and the second floor villas located directly above the
project area not available for booking during the construction. Major
pipe replacement project underway in corridors outside guest rooms daily
9 a.m.  5 p.m. through summer 2005. No work scheduled inside guest
rooms.

Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa  Phase I's construction
of four buildings complete; Phase II's eight units are opening one each
month, through October 2005; Phase III's the six units due in 2007,
involves razing the old Fairway Villas.

Summer passholder and Florida resident rates are out

Annual Passholder and Florida resident resort discounts valid most nights
from April 17 through July 4 have been announced. Rates start at $74 for
value resorts and $104 for moderates. See the Passholder web site (link)
or MouseSavers (link)
for more information.

Radisson Resort Parkway announces rates through 2005

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates
through the end of 2005.

Disney's Summer Price Slice discount returns to golf courses

Summer Price Slice is back with reducedprice greens fees on tee times
after 10 a.m. daily from May 2 through Sept. 29 on Disney's five 18hole
golf courses.

Golfers can play the premier Osprey Ridge course after 10 a.m. for $60
(compared to a normal seasonal greens fee of $119) or Eagle Pines for
$50 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $109). Post10 a.m. rounds on
the Magnolia, Palm or Lake Buena Vista courses are $45 (compared to a
normal seasonal fee of $89$94). Prices include golf cart rental.

Disney's Summer Price Slice also gives golfers the opportunity to play
afternoon rounds late into the day. Golfers can take on Osprey Ridge after
3 p.m. for $35 ($30 after 5 p.m.). Eagle Pines, Magnolia and Palm start
at $30 after 3 p.m. ($25 after 5 p.m.). Rounds at Lake Buena Vista start
at $25 after 3 p.m. ($20 after 5 p.m.).

For tee times, call 407WDWGOLF (4079394653) or go to the Walt Disney
World Golf web site (link).

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

The entire price structure has changed as of January 2, 2005, to the
new Magic Your Way passes. Advance purchase discounts are
only available on tickets above the base ticket of at least 5 days.

Adult/Child Total Cost

1day

2day

3day

4day

5day

6day

7day

8day

9day

10day

Base Ticket

$59.75 / $48

$119 / $96

$171 / $137

$185 / $148

$193 / $155

$196 / $157

$199 / $160

$202 / $162

$205 / $164

$209 / $167

W/ Park Hopper

$94.75 / $83

$154 / $131

$206 / $172

$220 / $183

$228 / $190

$231 / $192

$234 / $195

$237 / $197

$240 / $199

$244 / $202

W/ Plus Pack

$104.75 / $93

$164 / $141

$216 / $182

$230 / $193

$238 / $200

$241 / $202

$244 / $205

$247 / $207

$250 / $209

$254 / $212

(plus 2)

(plus 2)

(plus 2)

(plus 3)

(plus 3)

(plus 4)

(plus 5)

(plus 5)

(plus 5)

(plus 5)

Premium Ticket

$139.75 / $128

$199 / $176

$251 / $217

$265 / $228

$273 / $235

$276 / $237

$279 / $240

$282 / $242

$285 / $245

$289 / $247

Premium, No Expiration

N/A

$209 / $186

$261 / $227

$280 / $243

$308 / $270

$321 / $282

$334 / $295

$382 / $342

$392 / $395

$399 / $347

Advance Purchase Discount

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

$7/$6

$9/$7

$11/$9

$11/$9

$11/$9

$12/$9

Annual Passholders

Receive 10 percent off the price of their lunch meal at selected
Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants, and the discount is good for
up to three guests. The offer is valid Mondays through Fridays. Call 407WDWDINE
(4079393463) for locations and reservations.

Mark (@MPMark) is a veteran of dozens of trips to Walt Disney World starting in 1972, with a few Disneyland trips thrown in for good measure. As a Disney stockholder and a Disney Vacation Club member, Mark is always in touch with what's going on with The Mouse. Mark serves as MousePlanet's Walt Disney World content coordinator. Mark is a senior information technology manager working for the State of New York. He lives in the suburbs outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son.

MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.